Just a few pics of our little trip in early September.
Day 1
First stop was Murgtalstr/Forbach (Baden-Wurttemberg Schwarzwald) Black Forest area just south of Baden-Baden.
Nice bike friendly hotel.
When we arrived that evening the owner said the garage was available but please park our bikes as far into the corner as possible.
The evidence the following morning.
(yes we did hear them arrive the previous evening
)
Day 2
Damn that noisy Yankie trailer trash rackett going on outside, an Englishman abroad needs a proper cup of tea before his morning strole.
We watched the Harleys reverse out of the garage and eventually they all set off. Just as well that we were in no rush and had plenty of time.
They were a Belgian (Flemish) chapter and on their way to the Harley meet in Austria.
We had a look around the local village.
Metal cockerel or veloseraptor
We had a fantastic ride down to the Swiss border. This region of Germany is my favourite, with nice smooth twisty tarmac and stunning views.
Our destination was Andermatt (good base for the passes) and the Hotel Badus. Another bike friendly gaff.
Into Switzerland.
Lake Luzern.
Day 3
Up early for breakfast and a quick look around Andermatt.
The Furka pass is that way.
With another night booked in Andermatt we were able to take all the kit off the bikes and enjoy the passes. We did a loop of the Furka, Grimsel and Susten. Weather was good.
Unfortunately on our way down from the Grimsel we saw a zx10 Kawka in a barrier on a bend. No sign of the rider, but the police were in attendance. Hope they were ok.
These passes are fantastic but need to be treated with respect.
Day 4
Dawned wet, misty and cold. We had no set route as such but the St Gotthard pass was -2c with sleet/snow. Further south Lugano was 25c and sunny. So south it was via the Gotthard tunnel.
On reaching Lugono we took a left and headed for Lake Como.
Lake Como was stunning although the Italian driving less so, the maniacs 
Recommended
We planned to head up to the Stelvio but the weather system we had escaped at Andermatt was hanging around with a vengeance. Having got as far as Maloia (just south of St Moritz) and the weather closing in with sleet/snow (and a diesel slick on the pass up
). We took the brave decision to retreat south again.
We overnighted in the Italian town of Chiavenna and ate lots of pasta. I had beer and wine forced down my neck
Day 5
Time to head west, back down Como, north of Milan and towards Aosta (near the French border) via Biella. West of Biella the roads and scenery got fantastic again.
We stopped in a little village and I got handy with the camera again.
Asota was interesting with lots of Roman history and a nice quaint feel about the place.
Part of the original Raman walls.
View from Hotel room.
Day 6
We got lucky with the weather again and headed for the St Bernardo pass on the French/Italian border.
Monte Blanc looked very white
Time to show my bike on the pass.
Nice doggy
Cup of coffee in hand, bikes ticking away whilst cooling down. Nice clear blue sky. Happy days
We had a nice descent through pine forests.
We then had lunch in Val-d'Isere before the ascent to one of our favourite places, the Col de I'Iseran.
Poser
On the way down again.
We had a nice ride down on the French side only to stay in the Savoy Hotel (not that one) at a place I can't remember. In the house next door the lady in residence had decided to display the entire contents of her knicker drawer in her front window.
Julie thought is was funny...
Day 7
We headed for home through France. We overnighted in Pont a Mousson just south of Metz and stayed at the Abbaye des Premontres.
This being a former Premonstratensian abbey on the river bank and is now used for concerts and temporary art exhibitions. Primarily of architectural interest, its top attractions are three staircases in the convent buildings, one square, one spiral and one oval-shaped.
It was also very reasonably priced (70 euro's for a double room with breakast) and is well worth a visit if in the area.
An internal shot.
A couple more of Pont a Mousson.
Cathedral near the bridge across the Moselle.
Town square.
Thanks for looking.
Day 1
First stop was Murgtalstr/Forbach (Baden-Wurttemberg Schwarzwald) Black Forest area just south of Baden-Baden.
Nice bike friendly hotel.
When we arrived that evening the owner said the garage was available but please park our bikes as far into the corner as possible.
The evidence the following morning.
(yes we did hear them arrive the previous evening
)Day 2
Damn that noisy Yankie trailer trash rackett going on outside, an Englishman abroad needs a proper cup of tea before his morning strole.
We watched the Harleys reverse out of the garage and eventually they all set off. Just as well that we were in no rush and had plenty of time.
They were a Belgian (Flemish) chapter and on their way to the Harley meet in Austria.
We had a look around the local village.
Metal cockerel or veloseraptor
We had a fantastic ride down to the Swiss border. This region of Germany is my favourite, with nice smooth twisty tarmac and stunning views.
Our destination was Andermatt (good base for the passes) and the Hotel Badus. Another bike friendly gaff.
Into Switzerland.
Lake Luzern.
Day 3
Up early for breakfast and a quick look around Andermatt.
The Furka pass is that way.
With another night booked in Andermatt we were able to take all the kit off the bikes and enjoy the passes. We did a loop of the Furka, Grimsel and Susten. Weather was good.
Unfortunately on our way down from the Grimsel we saw a zx10 Kawka in a barrier on a bend. No sign of the rider, but the police were in attendance. Hope they were ok.
These passes are fantastic but need to be treated with respect.
Day 4
Dawned wet, misty and cold. We had no set route as such but the St Gotthard pass was -2c with sleet/snow. Further south Lugano was 25c and sunny. So south it was via the Gotthard tunnel.
On reaching Lugono we took a left and headed for Lake Como.
Lake Como was stunning
although the Italian driving less so, the maniacs
Recommended
We planned to head up to the Stelvio but the weather system we had escaped at Andermatt was hanging around with a vengeance. Having got as far as Maloia (just south of St Moritz) and the weather closing in with sleet/snow (and a diesel slick on the pass up
). We took the brave decision to retreat south again. We overnighted in the Italian town of Chiavenna and ate lots of pasta. I had beer and wine forced down my neck
Day 5
Time to head west, back down Como, north of Milan and towards Aosta (near the French border) via Biella. West of Biella the roads and scenery got fantastic again.
We stopped in a little village and I got handy with the camera again.
Asota was interesting with lots of Roman history and a nice quaint feel about the place.
Part of the original Raman walls.
View from Hotel room.
Day 6
We got lucky with the weather again and headed for the St Bernardo pass on the French/Italian border.
Monte Blanc looked very white
Time to show my bike on the pass.
Nice doggy
Cup of coffee in hand, bikes ticking away whilst cooling down. Nice clear blue sky. Happy days
We had a nice descent through pine forests.
We then had lunch in Val-d'Isere before the ascent to one of our favourite places, the Col de I'Iseran.
Poser
On the way down again.
We had a nice ride down on the French side only to stay in the Savoy Hotel (not that one) at a place I can't remember. In the house next door the lady in residence had decided to display the entire contents of her knicker drawer in her front window.
Julie thought is was funny...
Day 7
We headed for home through France. We overnighted in Pont a Mousson just south of Metz and stayed at the Abbaye des Premontres.
This being a former Premonstratensian abbey on the river bank and is now used for concerts and temporary art exhibitions. Primarily of architectural interest, its top attractions are three staircases in the convent buildings, one square, one spiral and one oval-shaped.
It was also very reasonably priced (70 euro's for a double room with breakast) and is well worth a visit if in the area.
An internal shot.
A couple more of Pont a Mousson.
Cathedral near the bridge across the Moselle.
Town square.
Thanks for looking.
